Page 3581 - Week 14 - Tuesday, 8 December 1992
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Mr Humphries: What are you talking about? That is not his question.
MR BERRY: I think it is, because it comes back to the issue of how much is collected in the ACT. I do not know about Mrs Carnell's figures; I do not know where she got them. What I can say is that, as far as the Australian total is concerned, we have to look at it in terms of the percentages that go to all the areas of health, rather than be misled by the concept that the only part that comes back to the ACT is that which comes back for hospitals. There are those other important components: That significant amount that goes to the medical benefits rebate, which doctors claim; pharmaceuticals, about 13 per cent; and base hospital funding, about 38 per cent. You cannot look at the simplistic figures that were put forward by Mrs Carnell in that way; you have to look at the overall spread of the Medicare levy to other parts of the health budget.
MR MOORE: I ask a supplementary question, Madam Speaker. What I would like to know is what the Minister estimates is the increased cost to the ACT of participation in this agreement.
MR BERRY: There will be a 0.15 per cent increase on every wage-earner in the ACT. It is as simple as that. I do not have to estimate it; the Commonwealth Government told you. It is a Commonwealth tax. It is not an estimate; it is there. It is as plain as the nose on your face.
ACTION Bus Service
MRS GRASSBY: My question is directed to the Minister for Urban Services. Can the Minister inform the Assembly of any steps being taken to determine the performance of the ACTION bus service?
MR CONNOLLY: We are about to undertake a study into the efficiency of the bus system. We are undertaking a benchmark survey - we have called for expressions of interest - to provide us with details on best practice in public transport systems around Australia. The Labor Government's approach to change in the workplace is in marked contrast to that of the Liberal Opposition, which wants to see confrontation and chaos and repressive government action to squeeze down the work force. What we are looking at - - -
Mr De Domenico: What are you talking about? Where were the ACTION buses on 30 November?
MR CONNOLLY: The same place as they were during the protest against your Government when Mr Kaine was Chief Minister and we took the same action. This benchmark survey will give us a good guide as to best work practice in equivalent areas of similar public transport systems around Australia, in particular the way the workshops operate and the way the utilisation of buses is delivered. It will enable this Government, in cooperation with the community and the ACTION work force, to deliver further on the major process of change we have started in the ACTION bus fleet to deliver substantial savings to this community.
Mr Berry: I ask that members who wish to put any further questions before the Government do so by putting them on notice.
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